Vent plug



J. PICKARD.

VENT PLUG.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-20.1921.

mm Oct. 3, 1922.

$ IIIIIIEEEI'IEI" I INVENTOR. J Plaid/" Z Patented @ct. 3, 19232.

UNlTtEZlIi n a" ti at? A 3. 1. Email? vnn'r PLUG.

Application filed August 20, 1921.

T 4H whom it may concern:

Be it known that T, Josnrrr PICKARD, a citizen of the United States. residing at Holyoke, in the county of Hampden, in

the iiitate of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Vent Plug, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the plugs or clo sures of containers of various kinds, such as barrels, kegs, cans, or the like, and has for one of its objects to improve the construction and increase the efiiciency of devices of this character.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character comprising a plug or stopper having means for controlling the passage of air therethrough, the controlling means being disposed wholly within the lines of the body of the plug.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction as hereinafter shown and described and then specifically pointed out in the claims, and in the drawings illustrative of the preferred embodiment of the inven tion.

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional elevation.

Fig. 2 is a plan view.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view.

The improved device may be applied to various structures through which air is to be admitted, or permitted to escape, such as the plugs of dispensing containers of various kinds, and it is not desired to limit the invention in any manner in this respect, but for the purpose of illustration the improved device is shown applied to a conventional plug or stopper for a barrel keg, can or other container, and comprises a body 10 of wood or the like with tapered sides to engage the correspondingly tapered opening in the container, not shown.

The body 10 is formed with a bore 11 45 therethrough, and preferably enlarged at the ends to form lateral stop shoulders 12 and 13.

Fitting through the bore 11 is a tubular member 14 externally and internally thread 5 ed at one end and closed at the other end as shown at 15 except for an air orifice 16.

The closed end of the tubular member is provided with a lateral flange 17 which eX- tends over the shoulder 13 and thus operates to limit the movement of the tubular member in one direction.

. device 22 for a Serial No. 493,882.

A suitable packing ring 18 is interposed between the flange 17 and the shoulder 13.

Engaging the externally threaded part of the tubular member 14- is holding nut 19 extending over the shoulder 12 and operat ing to hold the tubular member in position, a packing ring 20 being disposed between the nut 19 and shoulder, 12.

Engaging the internal threads of the tubular member 14 is an annular stop member 21, the inner face constituting a valve seat.

Rising from the closed end 15 of the tubular member is a combined guide and holding stemv member 23 which extends upwardly through the annular member 21, being smaller than the bore of the annu lar member to provide for the passage of air through the annular member.

At its lower end the stem 23 slidably engages through the combined guide and support 22 and is enlarged to limit the upward movement while leaving it free to move downwardly within the range of the guide. Attached to the stem 23 and movable therewith is a collar 24:, and between the collar and the annular member 21 is a valve 25 preferably, of yieldable material, such as rubber, fiber or the like, and held yieldably in position against the seat of the member 21, by a spring 26.

When air or other liquid is to be dis charged or admitted through the plug, pressure is applied to the outer end of the stem 23 to cause the stem 23 to be moved through the guide member 22 against the pressure of the spring 26 to unseat the valve, the air then flowing through the annular member 21, the guide member 22 and the orifice 16, when air is to be admitted in one direction through the plug, or the air flowing through the orifice 16, the guide member 21 and the annular member 21 when air is to pass in the opposite direction.

The threaded portion of the tubular memher in advance of the portions 19 and 21, provide means for the attachment of a hose coupling or other conducting medium as will be obvious.

The improved device is simple in construction, can be inexpensively manufactured and of any size and adapted to various forms of containers.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed in the drawings and set forth in the specification, but it will be understood that any modifications within the scope of the claimed invention may be made in the construction without departing from the principle of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

What is claimed is 1. A device of the class described comprising a stopper having a longitudinal. bore enlarged at the ends to provide laterally disposed stop shoulders, a tubular member engaging in the bore and closed at one end and with an air orifice in the closed end, a laterally directed flange at the closed end of the tubular member bearing upon one of the stop shoulders, a holding nut engaging the tubular member and bearing upon the other stop shoulder, an annular stop member within the bore of the tubular member, a combined holding and guide device supported in the tubular member, a stem slidably engaged with the guide device and extending through the annular stop member, a valve device carried by the rod and seated against the annular stop member, and a spring between the valve and the guide device.

2. A device of the class described comprising a stopper having a longitudinal bore, a tubular member engaging in the bore and closed at one end and with an air orifice in the closed end, a laterally directed flange at the closed end of the tubular member and operating to limit the movement thereof in one direction, a holding nut engaging the tubular member and operating to limit the movement of the tubular member in the opposite direction, an annular stop member within the bore of the tubular member, a combined holding and guide device supported in the tubular member, a stem slidably engaged with the guide device and extending through the annular stop member, a valve device carried by the stem and seated against the annular stop member, and a spring between the valve and the guide device.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature hereto.

JOSEPH PICKARD. 

